Politics...A Nasty Business

I often hear people asking why there are no honest politicians. In fact, there are but we don't hear much about them and there certainly aren't enough of them.

Having entered the political arena myself, I have some idea why this is the case. It seems that many who enter the system with good intentions soon sucumb to the lowest common denominator in order to survive politically. Those who will not stoop to this level soon bail out rather than compromise or have their reputation trashed by their opponents.

Lately, I too have had to seriously consider packing it in on politics due to the unethical actions of a handful of people. Unless you've been under a rock since May, you know that I have spent my summer defending myself against distorted facts and unethical behavior by some individuals - including some in the media - regarding a charge against me.

When yesterday the Crown threw out the charge against me but the Sun Times still printed an article implying my guilt, it left me again wondering if my work here for this region is worth the abuse it has drawn.

What is it that makes people feel so threatened by someone like myself who is simply working for positive change? What makes people attack their others with different ideas instead of trying to understand them? Is it that some people just can't accept the truth? Maybe they can't admit that they were wrong? Or maybe it's pure selfishness. Do I threaten someone's financial interest? In the case of the Sun Times, is it just a crass attempt to sell more papers?

I don't know the answers to these questions but I'm putting all attackers on notice that I am not going away. I often think about my kids and whether they will get caught in the crossfire. At the end of the day I have faith that they will commend me for not giving up; for fighting for a better future for them.

If you're wondering why politicians and others looking for unethical advantage throw mud, it's because mud sticks. The recent behavior and subsequent result of the recent federal election is proof of this.

I however think that at the core of it, you, the citizens of Ontario and Bruce/Grey are smarter than that. That's why I'm sticking around. Prove me correct.